Posted on Feb 26, 2015
LTC Field Artillery Officer
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Suppose you had a Service Member (Branch of service doesn't matter) working for you that made cut off (Army term for making rank) and was due to be promoted on a Sunday, but was leaving for an extensive TDY / TAD on the Saturday prior. Would you conduct the ceremony amongst your section on the previous Friday so that when they showed up for the TDY / TAD on that Sunday, they were wearing their new rank? Or would you make them wait until they returned, if they wanted to be promoted at their place of duty?

My opinion, based on the circumstances, is to promote the service member the day and a half early so that when they arrived at their TDY / TAD, they were in their proper rank. Their pay doesn't start till Sunday, but other than that, you are just recognizing them for their continued performance and demonstrated potential.
Posted in these groups: Star PromotionsRank RankAfp getty 511269685 Ceremony
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CSM Brigade Operations (S3) Sergeant Major
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A good rule of thumb is to always do what benefits the Soldier. If payday falls on a Sunday the Army doesn't wait and pay us on Monday, they pay us on Friday. That Soldier should be recognized in front of their peers and be wearing the appropriate rank when arriving at their temporary duty.
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SGT Jim Z.
SGT Jim Z.
10 y
CSM (Join to see) There is the common sense factor kicking in again.
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PO2 David Adkins
PO2 David Adkins
8 y
This happened to me too. I went to AZ A school after I had earned E-4 crow. However, by graduating 1st in my class under the old STAR Program I was promoted to E-5. I did not know it until my orders were opened at my next duty station. Never did get a ceremony.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
Sgt Dale Briggs
5 y
I agree fully, I was promoted to Sgt in front of the platoon, and it was a big deal to me. I worked hard for that and did everything I could do to earn that stripe, I made E5 at 3 yrs 6 months time in service. For 6 months of my life I was a Sgt of Marines, never to be taken lightly.
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LTC Retired Veteran
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I would always prefer to promote in front of one's peers and if possible, family. For most, they already act at the rank they are promotable too and the pinning is a formality.

There are circumstances I am sure where this doesn't work, but as the question is asked, I would think pinning early is the right answer.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
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I would go ahead and promote the service member early so that he/she is recognized in front of his/her peers, and would ensure that the service member has a copy of the promotion orders in his/her possession when they are on the TDY/TAD mission so that there are no issues at the new assignment.
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